Imani Winds (wind quintet)

Monica Ellis (Performer), Mariam Adam (Performer), Valerie Coleman (Composer), Mario Lavista (Composer), Astor Piazzolla (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Ramon Mongo Santamaria (Composer), Jeff Scott (Composer), Imani Winds (Performer), Valerie Coleman (Performer), Jeff Scott (Performer), Toyin Spellman (Performer), Rolando Morales Matos (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Monica Ellis, Mariam Adam, Imani Winds, Valerie Coleman, Jeff Scott, et al.
• Composer: Valerie Coleman, Mario Lavista, Astor Piazzolla, Maurice Ravel, Ramon Mongo Santamaria, et al.
• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Int'l Classics
• ASIN: B000CC4W1E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #147,402 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Imani Winds, an accomplished wind quintet (horn, flute, bassoon, clarinet, oboe), push the classical repertory into more-inclusive territory. This disc offers apt arrangements of Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, as well as pieces drawn from jazz, Latin America, and African traditions. Mexican composer Mario Lavista's concentrated 5 Brief Dances (originally written for wind quintet) include a richly atmospheric Lento and a spunky Presto. A bright new work by hornist Jeff Scott, Titilayo, recalls Ibert, Poulenc, jazz, a dab of Copland, and a hefty dose of originality in its brief time span. Mason Jones' arrangement of the Ravel, a work familiar in its piano original and the composer's arrangement for full orchestra, is especially adept. Its gentle fugue and scintillating Rigaudon are especially appealing. Umoja, by the group's flutist, Valerie Coleman, adds a guest percussionist and the interplay of the winds with an array of percussion instruments makes for fascinating listening. There are also a welcome pair of pieces by Astor Piazzola which will please his many fans, and Mongo Santamaria's Afro Blue, made famous by jazz great John Coltrane, gets its first "classical" arrangement to provide a stunning close to the program. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wonderful New Album from the Imani Winds, January 30, 2006

By	John - See all my reviews

The Imani Winds have done it again with their new 2006 album. On this CD, they continue their exploration of bringing new pieces and styles into the classical wind quintet repertoire.

I listened to this CD and liked it very much. I found the sound and style of the music to be very much like that in their previous album, The Classical Underground. Initially, I was somewhat disappointed by this (despite the fact that I really enjoyed The Classical Underground), but I've since decided that there is much musical territory for them to explore in the current genres that they are working in.

After listening to this CD, I have become impressed with the arrangers' ability to take a piece (such as the Ravel and Piazzolla pieces) and make it sound complete on wind quintet (i.e. you don't get the feeling that some part of the music is "missing"). The techniques employed by the group are also utilized wonderfully, such as the staccato flute notes underlying the clarinet early on in Jeff Scott's Titilayo piece. I also like how the group creates a few of their own compositions as well (I tend to believe that not enough new music is written and performed).

All in all, very good. I find the Imani Winds to be a nice change of pace from "typical" classical music.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent performances!, April 13, 2006

By	Penny "Music lover" (New Rochelle) - See all my reviews

Imani Winds is a group that sounds like it would tackle music from any genre with gusto. This disc shows many of the different sides of the group. The arrangement of Tombeau on this disc is sensational - the group shows off its "classical" chops, creating swirling colors and atmospheres, amid impeccible performances that most woodwind quintets could only dream of. They are equally at home in worlds of Piazzolla and Santamaria, displaying their ability to crossover to jazz/latin music. I can't recommend this disc enough!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, May 12, 2007

By	Bryan Newlun "Bryan L. Newlun" (Williamsburg, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just fantastic. Especially the Ravel piece. Heard it played on IPR.....had to get it. Very glad I did.